Championship 2018-2019

[in exile]

Any chance Leeds will get docked points for espionage in Derbyshire? It's our only hope of catching the blighters.

About as much chance as Neil Taylor being voted Villa fans player of the season

[Damo70]

Any chance Leeds will get docked points for espionage in Derbyshire? It's our only hope of catching the blighters.

The manager has quite cleverly held his hand up and taken full personal and individual responsibility. Which suggests he will get a charge of bringing the game into disrepute and the club itself will get away without being punished.

[frank black]

And admitted they have spied on every club they’ve played.

[Walmley_Villa]

He hasn't broke the rules and demonstrated a passion for winning. Imagine Brucie putting that much effort into understanding his opponents!

[pooligan]

I grew up as a kid learning to hate Leeds and their manager Revie .Most fans did not like them back then  as they cheated and now it seems like they cheat now .They may not have broke any rules but to spy on other clubs  at their training ground is morally wrong

[footyskillz]

No wonder they are top of the league.

This blatant disregard for custom and rules shows real lack of respect

It's only because they got caught out that it's made news.

Also bielsa has taken it further by showing how he does it every game

[chrisw1]

I hope they don't get docked points.  The last thing we want is for them to drop into the playoff places and us have to play them.

[darren woolley]

Any chance Leeds will get docked points for espionage in Derbyshire? It's our only hope of catching the blighters.

More chance of finding Rocking Horse shit.

[footyskillz]

O'Neill appointed at Forest and looking to bring Roy Keane back .

Would like to hear there comments on bielsa and what they do if they went to see Forest train

[Damo70]

I think MON took Leicester up through the play offs after taking over part way through the season and I can see him doing the same with Forest as they have a decent squad. I think Leeds and Albion will be the top two. I think the play offs will be contested by Norwich, Sheff U, Derby and Forest. I think Villa, Boro and Stoke will all narrowly miss out. Obviously I hope I am proved wrong.

[Steve67]

I think MON took Leicester up through the play offs after taking over part way through the season and I can see him doing the same with Forest as they have a decent squad. I think Leeds and Albion will be the top two. I think the play offs will be contested by Norwich, Sheff U, Derby and Forest. I think Villa, Boro and Stoke will all narrowly miss out. Obviously I hope I am proved wrong.

I reckon you're on the money with that prediction.  Throw into the mix that Pulis will be ditched.  Not sure about Stoke though.

[footyskillz]

Next 5 for all teams that are above Villa = contention for being promoted at this moment. Takes us up to 5th round fa cup 16th Feb.

Obviously the more matches played the better the picture on who is in contention I have to discount Swansea , Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday at this time

Will revise after 5 matches if progress in league position made.

Teams that are above Villa
Leeds, Sheff Utd, Norwich , West Brom, Middlesboro, Derby.
Bristol city, Birmingham, Nottingham Forest, Birmingham, QPR

When Highlighted indicate said teams  play each other
=Chance to make gains

Game 1. January 18/19/21
When Villa play hull   

Norwich v Birmingham
Nottm Forest v Bristol City
Stoke v Leeds   
Blackburn v Ipswich         
Derby v Reading      
Middlesbrough v Millwall                  
Swansea v Sheff Utd   
Bolton v West Brom   

Game 2. 26th Jan
Fa cup matches taken into account

when villa play Ipswich home
Norwich   v Sheff Utd
Blackburn v Hull
Nottm Forest v Wigan
Rotherham v Leeds
Stoke v Preston
Swansea v Birmingham (rearranged Tue 29)


Game 3. Feb 1th 2nd  When Reading v Villa
Leeds v Norwich
West Brom v Middlesbrough   
Birmingham v Nottm Forest         
Preston v Derby            
Bristol City v Swansea      
Hull v Stoke   
Sheff Utd v Bolton         
Wigan v QPR   

Gane 4 Feb 8th 9th 10th
Aston Villa v Sheff Utd   
Middlesbrough v Leeds               
Derby v Hull                
QPR v Birmingham   
Blackburn v Bristol City
Norwich v Ipswich
Nottm Forest Brentford

Game 5. Feb 12th 13th midweek
When Brentford v Villa
West Brom v Nottm Forest   
Bristol City v QPR   
Sheff Utd v Middlesbrough
Birmingham v Bolton         
Hull v Rotherham      
Ipswich v Derby         
Preston North End v Norwich(2 days after Sunday match!)               
Leeds v Swansea         

[footyskillz]

I think MON took Leicester up through the play offs after taking over part way through the season and I can see him doing the same with Forest as they have a decent squad. I think Leeds and Albion will be the top two. I think the play offs will be contested by Norwich, Sheff U, Derby and Forest. I think Villa, Boro and Stoke will all narrowly miss out. Obviously I hope I am proved wrong.

I reckon you're on the money with that prediction.  Throw into the mix that Pulis will be ditched.  Not sure about Stoke though.

I can't say or not say with forecast but another 5 matches will give a clearer picture.

One key factor are matches to play against one another as much as villa playing the teams above in the table .
Highlighted in post.

Having slipped in few weeks and others gaining form hull, Bristol city have now come in to equation at this moment.

Top 6 Championship Form Guide last 6

Team   PTS
1   Hull City   18
WWWWWW
2   Sheffield United   13
LDWWWW
3   Bristol City   12
DDDWWW
4   Leeds United   12
WWWLLW
5   Queens Park Rangers   11
WWWDDL
6   West Bromwich Albion   11
WWWDLD

[Ads]

6 games ago we were in that pack having played much better sides. Predicting this league is tough when it's as mad as a box of frogs.

[old man villa fan]

I think inconsistency of teams can be put down to thin squads.  A few injuries or suspensions can hit teams hard and they can drift out of the picture for a month.  Bruce used to say "That is the Championship, for you", sounding as though there was a mystery to it.